[Archive 2018-05-16] Dublin mayor suggests not sending Irish representative to Israel for Eurovision 2019; two European Parliament lawmakers support boycott

Historical archive — originally published 2018-05-16. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Sunday, Dublin's Lord Mayor Mícheál MacDonncha spoke about not sending Irish representatives to the next year's Eurovision Song Contest, asserting Palestine solidarity. The announcement came just one day after Israeli singer Netta won this year's Eurovision in Portuguese capital Lisbon. Two European Parliament lawmakers from Ireland, Lynn Boylann and Nessa Childers, endorsed boycotting next year's contest.

Speaking to news site Dublin Live, MacDonncha said next year's contest should be boycotted to display solidarity with Palestineans. "I don't think we should send a representative", the mayor said. "I think the horrific ordeal of the Palestinian people needs to be highlighted", MacDonncha said.

After winning this year's contest, 25-year-old Netta, who performed Toy featuring chicken dance, chicken noises, and Japanese cultural references criticized as cultural appropriation, said, "Thank you for celebrating diversity. Thank you! I love my country. Next year in Jerusalem!" The country which wins the song contest hosts next year's iteration of Eurovision. Israel claims Jerusalem, including East Jerusalem. Palestine claims East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel-Palestine conflict is on-going for years. Clashes between Israel and Palestine have happened several times. This Monday, more than 50 Palestine civilians were killed in Gaza in a clash against Israeli forces.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tweet congratulated Netta after her victory and said, "Netta, you are a real dear. You brought a lot of honour to the State of Israel! Next year in Jerusalem!" ((he))Hebrew language: ‍!נטע, את כפרה אמיתית. הבאת הרבה כבוד למדינת ישראל! לשנה הבאה ב Israel came to control East Jerusalem as a part of the 1967 Arab-Israel War. Legal sovereignty of Israel's claim of the entire city is not globally acknowledged. Until this Monday, no country in the world had its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem; On Monday, Israel's ally the United States shifted its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

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